Service Chief Social Worker at James A Haley Veterans Hospital — Applications Closed

Job Description

The James A Haley Veterans Hospital (JAHVH) in Tampa, Florida, is hiring a Service Chief Social Worker at the GS-14 level. This is a full-time, permanent leadership position responsible for managing a large social work service line at a Level 1A quaternary care medical center.

JAHVH is one of five VA Polytrauma treatment facilities and includes six community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). The hospital has social work teaching affiliations with three universities. As Service Chief.. You will oversee more than 250 clinical social workers.. Vocational rehabilitation specialists.. Social work associates.. Peer support specialists..

And administrative support staff.. Including 18 subordinate supervisory social workers and one subordinate supervisory vocational rehabilitation specialist. You will have full responsibility for clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management, supervision, and organizational stewardship.

The work area covers many clinical programs: general medicine and surgery.. Medical specialty programs.. Geriatric and extended care.. Psychiatry.. Substance abuse.. Palliative care.. Hospice care.. Home-based primary care.. Community care.. And various ambulatory care programs with related research.. Educational.. And program evaluation functions.

This position is ideal for an experienced social work administrator who wants to lead a large, diverse team in a major VA medical center. The salary range is $137,692 to $179,005 per year.

Salary & Compensation

Salary: $137,692 - $179,005 per year.

Qualification

To qualify for the Service Chief Social Worker (GS-14) position, you must meet basic requirements including U.S. Citizenship, English proficiency, a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school, and state licensure at the advanced practice level.

Additionally, you need one year of experience equivalent to GS-13.

• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A doctoral degree in social work cannot be substituted for the master's degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Must be licensed at the advanced practice level and able to provide supervision for licensure.
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level, demonstrating advanced practice skills in administration and progressively more professional competency and judgment.
• Preferred experience: master's degree in social work, 3-5 years of current social work experience, and leadership experience.
• May qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision if you are a current VHA employee in this occupation and meet the criteria.
• Applicants pending completion of educational or licensure requirements may be referred but cannot be hired until all requirements are met.
• Transcript must be submitted if using education to qualify. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Full responsibility for provision of complex social work services requiring advanced practice skills.
• Administrative oversight for more than 250 clinical social workers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, social work associates, peer support specialists, and administrative support staff.
• Supervision of 18 subordinate supervisory social workers and one subordinate supervisory vocational rehabilitation specialist.
• Management of clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management, and organizational stewardship for the social work program.
• Ensuring compliance with social work practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.
• Providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on social work qualification standards, practice, competency, productivity, and continuing education requirements.
• Developing, maintaining, and managing social work services in multiple divisions/sections.
• Applying legal, ethical, and professional standards to social work practice.
• Performing supervisory duties including assignment of work, performance evaluation, selection of staff, and recommendations for awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
• Ensuring compliance with social work licensure requirements.

Conditions & Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
• Valid driver's license required.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Must serve a 1- or 2-year trial period; employment may be terminated if continued employment does not advance the public interest.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be used as identification for employment.

Benefits

• Complete federal benefits package including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on position type (full-time, part-time, intermittent).
• Access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career rewarding.
• Learn more about federal benefits at the official OPM website.

How You Will Be Evaluated

1. Your application, resume, CV, and supporting documentation will be verified.
2. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed.
3. Experience includes paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps).
4. VA performs pre-employment reference checks to verify information and assist in final selection.
5. After the announcement closes, applications are reviewed for qualification and eligibility.
6. A referral certificate is issued, and referred applicants may be contacted for an interview.
7. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision is made.

Required Documents

• Resume (must include job title, grade level for federal positions, duties, month/year start/end dates, full-time or part-time status, and hours worked per week).
• Clinical Resume Document (download from the provided link; upload as a one-page document in the 'Resume' field; full CV can be uploaded in the 'Other' field).
• License and registry certificate (if applicable).
• Transcript with degree conferred and GPA (if using education to qualify).
• SF-50/Notification of Personnel Action (current or former VA or federal employees must submit a copy of current and/or highest grade held SF-50, not an award SF-50).
• Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (if using foreign education).

How to Apply

1. Apply online through the official application portal by opening the announcement and signing in with your the official application portal/Login.gov account.
2. Complete the full occupational questionnaire and submit all required documents as specified in the Required Documents section.
3. Ensure your application package is submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/07/2026.
4. After submission, you will receive a confirmation email. You can check your application status anytime by logging into your the official application portal account and clicking on Applications.
5. If you have questions, contact Christal Bess at 813-816-7155 X100165 or [email protected].

Additional Information

• This position is open to current federal employees of the Veterans Health Administration (internal to the agency).
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.
• Telework is not eligible; remote work is not available.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is mandatory for all VA Health Care Personnel (HCP). Exemptions may be granted for medical or religious reasons; face masks are required if exempted.
• HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers, and health professions trainees.
• The VA does not deny employment to those who have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
• Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools.

About Company

The James A Haley Veterans Hospital (JAHVH) in Tampa, Florida, is a Level 1A high-complexity quaternary care medical center operated by the Veterans Health Administration. It provides general medicine, surgical, psychiatric, rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, and nursing home care, and is one of five VA Polytrauma treatment facilities.

The hospital also operates six community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) and has social work teaching affiliations with three universities. This Service Chief Social Worker position is central to the hospital's mission of delivering complete care to veterans.

The role oversees a large social work service line, ensuring high-quality clinical practice and compliance with VA standards across multiple programs.